Cigarette-case.



A. E. CODDING.

CIGARETTE CASE. APPLICATION FILED APR. 19. 1916.

Patented J u'ne 27, 19.16.

ARTHUR E. CODDING, OF NORTH ATTLEZBORO, MASSACHUSETTS.

CIGARETTE-CASE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 27, 1916.

Application filed April 19, 1916. Serial No. 92,252.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR E. ConnINo, a citizen of the United States,residing at North Attleboro, in the county of Bristol and State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inCigarette-Cases, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to cigarette cases or holders and has for itsprimary object to provide a device of this character including a holderproper for supporting cigarettes between the lids of the case, and asingle instrumentality operating to urge the lids to their openpositions and also maintain the holder centrally therebetween.

It is another object of the invention to provide a case of the typeabove referred to wherein the holder is constructed in two hingedlyconnected sections, the said single instrumentality also having theadditional function of yieldingly holding the sections in closedposition uponthe series of cigarettes arranged between the same.

It is a further general object of my invention to materially simplifyand improve the construction of devices of the above character, by theprovision of asingle spring element interposed between the sectionalholder and the lid hinge and acting in a single plane to accomplish theabove stated desirable result, thus insuring positive and reliableaction and eliminating decrease in functional activity of the saidspring element owing to the absence of severe tensional strains.

\Vith the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in thenovel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts tohe hereinafter more fully described. claimed and illustrated in theaccompanying drawing. in which,

Figure l is a perspective view showing the case open and the holderdisposed in central position; Fig. 2 is a transverse section, the holderbeing shown in dotted lines swung over from its normal position againstone lid of the case; Fig. 3 is a similar view, the holder sections beingopen; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section taken on the line -l-' L of Fig.2; Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the spring element; and Fig. 6is a similar view of one of the holder supporting standards.

It has been found de ira le in the manufacture of cigarette cases ofthat type having a holder or container for a plurality of cigarettes, toprovide means which will act to maintain the holder in a medial orcentral position between the lids of the case when the latter is openedso that the cigarettes may be easily removed therefrom or the holderreadily filled when empty. Heretofore, this object has been accomplishedby an arrangement of wire springs, said springs being disposed uponopposite sides of the holder at'the hinged edge of the case and suitablyconnected to the holder sections and the case so that the springs willoperate to urge the lids to their open positions and also centralize theholder between the lids. .Such spring elements are subject toconsiderable strain and their effectiveness is soon impaired. As it isessential to the proper support of the holder that a pair of suchsprings be provided, arranged upon opposite sides of the hingeconnection between the case lids, it will be apparent that such aconstruction is comparatively expensive. It is, therefore. the purposeof my present invention to dispense with the two separate and distinctsustaining springs for the holder, and to thereby materially reduce themanufacturing cost and provide in lieu thereof a single instrumentalitywhich is so constructed and mounted and arranged with respect to thecaselids and the holder that it will serve a three-fold purpose,nan'iely, to urge the case lids to their locking positions, tocentralize thc'holder between the lids, and to yieldably maintain theholder sections in their closed positions. This very desirable end isattained in the following manner: The case is constructed of the twolids or covers 5 and 6 which are hingedly connected along one of theirside edges. as at 7. in the usual manner. by inserting the pintle 8through the alternately disposed knuckles 9 and 10 of the respectivelids. The lids ii and 6 are each providedwith a continuous inwardlyprojecting marginal flange or bezel 11 and 12 respectively, and thesaid'flange on the case lid 6 is provided with a notch or recess 13 toreceive a suitable latch element 14 mounted upon the corresponding edgeof the other lid 5.

The structural features of the case above referred to are quite commonin the art and constitute no part of the present invention.

The holder for the cigarettes comprises th two similar sections 15 whichare stamped out of sheet metal and suitably fluted to provide individualpockets for the reception of the cigarettes. The holder is mounted uponthe standards 16, each of said standards being provided upon one of itsends with a sleeve or knuckle 17, as clearly shown in Fig. (3, toreceive the hinge pintle 8 of the case. The upper end of each of thesestandards is also formed with a relatively small sleeve or knuckle 18which is positioned between the hinge knuckles 19 formed upon onesection of the holder 15. Hinge knuckles 20 on the other holder sectionare arranged in coinciding axial relation with the knuckles 19, andpintles 21 are inserted through these alined knuckles. Thus, it will beseen that the holder sections are hingedly mounted for relative movementtoward or from each other upon the ends of the standards 16.

As shown in detail in Fig. 5 of the drawing, 1 provide a single flatleaf spring generally designated by the numeral 22. This spring isformed to provide therein a slightly bowed, intermediate or centralportion 23, and at each end of said bowed portion of the spring plate arelatively short section 21 extends at a slight inclination with respectto said bowed section, and the terminals 25 of said plate are inclinedat a comparatively sharp angle.from the portions 24. thereof. In theangular portions 24 of this spring plate, longitiulinally extendingslots 26 are cut, which are of a length approximately equal to thehinges connecting the two sections of the holder 15. It is to beparticularly observed. from reference to Fig. 2 of the drawing, that thespring plate 22 is of a uniform width which is substantially equal tothe combined width of the flanges or bezels 11 and 12 on the lids ofthecase, and is also approximately equal in width to the width of-theholder 15.

When the parts of the device are assen1- bled. the knuckles 18 on thestandards 16 are inserted through the slots 26 in the spring plate 22and said knuckles and the hinge knuckles on the lids 5 and 6 connectedby means of the pintle 8. The leaf spring 23 which is approximately tothe length'of the lid hinge, bears at the terminals of its inclined endportions 25 upon the adjacent flanges or bezels 11 and 12 of the lids 5and 6 at the hinge 7 of the case. The intermediate or bowed section 23of the plate 22 extending between the standards 1G, is spaced from thehinge 7 and exerts an upward bearing pressure against the base walls ofthe sections of the holder 15. When the case is closed and the flanges11 and 12 are disposed in a plane at right angles to the spring plate22, said flanges exert a pressure against the extremities of the springplate and place the same under tension. Thus, when the latch device 14is of a length equal actuated, the terminals of the leaf spring bearingupon the flanges 11 and 12 will immediately urge the lids 5 and (3 totheir open positions. This is due to the fact that the spring exerts adownward pressure upon the longitudinal edges of said flanges onopposite sides of the axis of the hinge. Now, it will be apparent thatthe upward n'essure exerted by the central bowed portion 23 of thespring 22 will maintain the holder 15 in a central vertical positionbetween the open lids of the case. As seen in dotted lines in Fig. 2 ofthe drawing, the holder 15 may be moved over against the inner face ofone of the case lids, the standards l6 rocking or pivoting upon thehinge pintle 8 and the spring plate 22 moving with the holder out ofbearing contact with the flange of the other case lid. In addi tion tothe functions of the leaf spring above referred to, said spring platehas still a third function, in that it operates by its upward pressureagainst the base walls of. the sections of the holder 15 to yieldinglyretain the holder sections in their closed positions and in clampingengagen'ient with the cigarettes arranged between said sections. Thiswill be clearly apparent from reference to Fig. 3 of the drawing and acomparison of the same with Fig. 2. In Fig. 3, the sections of theholder 15 are shown open or spread apart, and it will be observed thateach of said holder sections bears upon the medial portion of the leafspring 22 at the outer edge of its base. whereby it is evident that thisportion of the spring plate is placed under additional tension and willimmediately act upon the release of the holder sections to again forcethe same together to their closed positions.

From the above description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing. it will be seen that I have materially simplified theconstruction of such cases or holders as now commonly known in the art,and have provided a single resilient metal plate or leaf springinterposed between the pivotally-mounted holder and the hinge of thecase lids whereby the three-fold purpose previously referred to isattained. This single instrumentality exerts its resilient bearingpressures in the accomplishment of the several enumerated functions. ina single plane. In other words. this single spring plate operates at alltimes directly in a line with and at right angles to the pivotal axes ofthe case lids and the holder sections. (onscquently, the said opera-tingelement is inconspicuous when the case is open, and is not liable todisplacement or injury by rough handling in loading the holder with thecigarettes or removing the same therefrom. F urthermorc, by so mountingand arranging the single spring plate 22 that it operates upon theseveral parts in a single plane and is not bent or distorted from itsoriginal form when the case is opened, it will ;be clearly apparent thatgreater durability and a maximum of efiicienc'y during long continueduse, is procured. In the other devices of an analogous character withwhich I am familiar, as hereinbefore noted, not only is it necessary toemploy two separate and distinct resiliently acting elements connectingthe holder sections and the case lids, but when the case is opened theportions of these elements which are connected to the lids are sprungfrom their normal positions with respect to those portions of the springelements attached to the holder sections and are thus subjected topossible distortion and considerable tensional strain. In addition tothe material advantages in operation above set forth, it is also quiteevident that, in view of the extreme simplicity of the single operatingelement for the several parts of the holder, the device is alsopreferable to those referred to in the prior art, from an economicalstandpoint. The manufacturing cost of such cases or holders mayobviously be materially reduced over the cost of production of the oldtype of such devices now upon the market.

In the foregoing description and in the accompanying drawing, I havedescribed and illustrated what I have found to be the preferable form ofthe spring plate 22 best adapted to the accomplishment of the desiredends, but it is possible that, in the utilization of such a device inconnection with cases and holders of other forms than that which I haveillustrated for the purposes of this explanation, various changes inshape and form of the several features of'the device may be necessary.I, therefore, desire it to be understood. that I reserve the privilegeof resorting to all such various mechanical changes to which the deviceis clearlysusceptible within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I desire to claim andsecure by Letters Patent is 1. A case of the character'describedincluding a pair of hinged. lids, a holder pivota-lly mounted betweensaid lids, and a single spring element acting upon the lids to open thesame and also acting upon said holder to maintain the same in a centralposition between the lids when the latter are open.

2. A case of the character described in.- cluding a pair of hinged lids,a holder pivotally mounted between said lids, and a single springelement at all times acting in a single plane to urge the lids to openposition and maintain the holder centrally therebetween.

3. A case of. the character described including a pair of hinged lids, aholder pivotallymounted between said lids. and a single spring elementinterposed between the lid hinge and said holder and acting upon thelids to open the sameand also to maintain the holder in a centralposition between said lids. V

4. A case of the character described in cluding a pair of hinged lids, aholder pivotally mounted between said lids, and a single spring elementinterposed between the lid hinge and said holder and acting in a singleplane upon the lids and upon the holder to urge the lids to openposition and maintain the holder centrally therebetween.

5. A case of the character described including a pair of hinged lids, aholder consisting of relatively movable opposed members mounted forbodily movement with respect to the case lids, and a single springelement constructed to act upon the case lids and urge the same to openposition and to also yieldably retain the holder in a stationaryposition with respect to the case lids and prevent relative movement ofthe holder members.

6. A case of the character described including a pair of hinged lids, aholder pivotally mounted for bodily movement with respect to the caselids and consisting of opposed relatively movable clamping members, anda single spring plate acting by its inherent resiliency to first urgethe case lids to open position; secondly, maintain the holder in acentral position between the case lids; and thirdly, prevent therelative opening movement of the clamping members.

7. A case of the character described including a pair of hinged lids, aholder pivotallymounted for bodily movement with respect to the caselids and consisting of opposed relatively movable clamping members, anda single spring plate arranged be tween the holder and its pivot actingby its inherent resiliency to first urge the case lids to open position;secondly, maintain the holder in a central position between the caselids; and thirdly, prevent the relative opening movement of the clampingmembers.

8. A case of the character described including a pair of hinged lids, aholder pivotally mounted on the hinge between the lids, a spring plateacting by its inherent resiliency upon the hinged edges of the case lidstourge the same to their open positions and also upon-said holder in aplane at right angles to its pivot to maintain the same in a centralposition between the open lids.

9. A case of the character described including a pair of hinged lids, aholder pivotally mounted on the hinge between the lids consisting ofrelatively movable clamping members, a spring plate acting by itsinherent resiliency upon the hinged edges of the case lids to urge thesame to their open positions and also upon said holder in a plane atright angles to its pivot tomaintain the same in a central positionbetween otally mounted on the lid position, the medial the open lids andalso acting upon the respective clamping members to yieldingly hold thesame against relative opening movement.

10. A case of the character described including a pair of hinged lids, aholder pivotally mounted on the lid hinge, and a single spring plateinterposed between the holder and the lid hinge and bearing at itsextremities upon the hinged edges of the lids to urge the same to theiropen position,.the medial portion of said plate bearing upon the holderto yieldingly maintain the same in a central position between the openlids.

11. A case of the character described including a pairof hinged lids, aholder pivota-lly mounted on the lid hinge consisting of relativelymovable clamping members, and a single longitudinally extending springplate interposed between the lid hinge and the base of the holder andresiliently acting upon the hinged edges of the lids to urge the sametotheir open positions and also upon the base of the holder to firstmaintain the holder in acentral position between the case lids and,secondly, to yieldingly hold. the clamping members against openingmovement.

12. A case of the character described in cluding a pair of hinged lids,a holder pivotally mounted on the lid hinge consisting of relativelymovable clamping members, and a longitudinally disposed'spring plateinterposed between the lid hinge and the base of said holder andresiliently acting throughout its length in a single plane to urge theease lids to open position to retain the holder centrally between theopen lids and to yieldingly prevent the opening movement of saidclamping members.

13. A case of the character described including a pair of hinged lids, astandard pivotally mounted on the lid hinge, relatively movable holdermembers hingedly mounted on said standard, and a single spring elementembracing the standard and acting by its inherent resiliency first tourge the case lids to open position. secondly, to maintain the holder incentral position between the open lids, and thirdly, to prevent therelative opening movement of the hinged holder members.

14. A case of the character described including a pair of hinged lids, aholder pivhinge, and a single spring plate interposed between the lidhinge and the base of the holder and having ree end portions bearingupon the hinged edges of the lids to urge the same t open portion ofsaid plate caring upon the base of the holder to maintain the same in acentral position between the open lids,

15. A case of the character described including a pair of hinged lids, aholder pivotally mounted on the lid hinge consisting of relativelymovable clamping members, and a longitudinally disposed spring platearranged over the hinge in spaced relation thereto and having a free endortion bearing upon the hinged edges 0 the lids to urge the lids totheir open positions, the medial portion of said spring plate exerting abearing pressure in a relatively opposite direction against the base ofthe holder to maintain the same in a central position between the lids.

16. A case of the character described comprising a pair of hinged lids,spaced standards mounted on the lid hinge, holder members hingedlymounted on said standards, and a single spring plate interposed betweenthe lid hinge and the holder members and having slots to receive thestandards, the ends of said spring plate bearing upon the hinged edgesof the lids and urging the lids to open position and the medial portionof the plate bearing against the holder members to hold the same againstrelative movement on the standards.

17. A case of the character described comprising a pairof hinged lids, astandard mounted on the lid hinge, a holder mounted upon the standard,and a single spring element interposed between the holder and the lidhinge and acting upon the hinged edges of the lids to urge-the lids toopen position, said element also co-acting with the holder and saidstandard to maintain the holder in a central position between the opencase lids.

18. In a holder of the character described, a pivoted standard, opposedholder members hingedly mounted upon the standard, and meanscooperatively engaged with the standard and holder members to supportthe standard against pivotal movement and yieldingly hold said membersagainst relative opening movement.

19. In a holder of the character described, spaced pivoted standards,opposed holder members hingedly mounted upon said standards, and meansinterposed between the pivots of the standards and the holder membersoperatively engaged with the standards to hold the same against pivotalmovement and also operating upon the holder members to yieldinglyprevent their relative opening movement.

20. In a holder of the character described, spaced pivotally mountedstandards, holder members hingedly mounted upon said standards, and alongitudinally disposed spring plate cooperatively engaged with thestandards to yieldingly hold the same against pivotal movement andexerting an upward bearing pressure upon the holder members yieldinglyretain the same in closed posi- 21. In a holder of the characterdescribed, spaced pivotally mounted standards, holder members hingedupon said standards for relative movement, and a longitudinally disposedspring plate slotted ad aCent its opposite ends to receive therespective standards and yieldingly hold the same against pivotalmovement, the medial portion of said plate exerting an upward bearingpressure against the base walls of the holder members to m yieldinglyretain said members in their closed positions.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in the resence of twowitnesses.

v A THUR E. CODDING. Witnesses:

JOSEPH A. Cononvs,

EDWIN A. Conomo.

